How the drug wars are affecting Mexico’s tourist safety

The drug wars in Mexico continue to be a major issue with far-reaching impacts across the country. Various cartels vie for control over lucrative drug trafficking routes and territories. The primary actors in these conflicts include the Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generacion (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel, although other significant criminal organizations like Los Zetas, Gulf Cartel, and Juarez Cartel also contribute to the ongoing violence​¹​.

The CJNG, based in Jalisco state, has emerged as a significant power, controlling or fighting for territories in states like Guanajuato, Michoacan, Baja California, Chihuahua, and Guerrero. The Sinaloa Cartel, once dominant, has faced challenges from CJNG and internal splintering, leading to infighting among factions within the cartel. The battle between these cartels and others has resulted in a surge in violence, especially in the west and northwest regions of Mexico​¹​.

Several recent incidents highlight the ongoing violence and the government’s struggle to curb cartel activities:

1. In Guerrero state, assailants gunned down at least 13 local police officers in a brazen attack, underscoring the region’s struggle against gang violence​²​.
2. The Mexican government deployed an additional 1,200 troops to the cartel-dominated state of Michoacan following a weekend of violence. The cartels’ use of arson to create chaos is a common tactic in this state​³​.
3. The arrest of Ovidio Guzman, son of the notorious drug lord Joaquin ‘El Chapo’ Guzman, led to significant violence in Sinaloa, turning the city of Culiacan into a war zone with at least 30 dead​⁴​.

Mexico’s drug wars spread to tourist areas

The violence is not confined to isolated regions but has permeated through many levels of Mexican society and economy, including tourist areas like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta, which were previously less affected​¹​. Notably, the escalation of violence is sometimes triggered by the arrest of high-ranking cartel members, leading to violent reprisals and challenges to governmental authority. For example, in August 2022, cartel-related violence surged across multiple areas in Mexico following the arrest of a high-ranking CJNG member​¹​.

Moreover, the Mexican government’s approach to handling the drug cartels has come under scrutiny, both domestically and internationally. The Mexican president, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, has disputed recent estimates by U.S. officials regarding the strength of Mexican drug cartels, indicating a potential divergence in the understanding and approach to tackling the drug war problem​⁵​.

Overall Impact on Tourist Areas:

1. Violence Spread: Cartel-related violence has spread to various parts of Mexico including tourist areas that were previously less affected, such as Cancun and Puerto Vallarta​¹​.
2. Threat to Tourist Destinations: Particularly on the Mayan Riviera, drug trafficking and related violence have started to intrude on daily life, threatening the economic stability brought by tourism​²​​³​.

Specific Impacts:

1. Cancun & Playa del Carmen: Both cities have witnessed a series of violent outbreaks, including shootings and mafia attacks. In Playa del Carmen, tourists continue to flock to the beaches even as armed police patrol the area following incidents of violence, including a Canadian couple being murdered and a mafia attack in a trendy bar​³​.
2. Puerto Vallarta: Although not as severely impacted as other areas, Puerto Vallarta has seen a rise in violence due to cartel activities​¹​.
3. Impact on Local Economy: Tourism, a significant contributor to Mexico’s economy, has been adversely affected. For instance, in Rosarito Beach, a city once thriving on tourism, the surge in drug-related violence has led to a decline in tourist visits. This downturn has forced some hotels to consider closing for the winter season, with many other businesses already shuttered​⁴​.

Affect on Tourism Growth:

1. Stagnant Tourism Growth: The number of international tourists visiting Mexico has remained flat over recent years, with the industry agreeing that a reduction in drug violence is crucial for tourism to flourish again​⁵​.

With all this in mind, how safe is it to travel to Mexico?